As large businesses continue to pop up in the borough, the Brooklyn Kings County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (BHCC) last week was stressing the need for a variety of establishments, both big and small.

At an annual expo held at St. Joseph’s College in Clinton Hill, the organization attempted to link local businesses and provide workshops to increase efficiency. The event took place from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Thursday, April 4.

“I actually got a lot of referrals from this event,” said Garrick Mason president and CEO of Mason Catering Services Inc. “So I decided to come back this year. The chamber helped my business a lot when I first opened.”

Mason said that since he joined, the chamber has referred people to his business regarding sponsoring, advertising, and catering deals.

The workshops included topics such as latest best practices for business, how to secure MWBE certification, and how to successfully complete FEMA applications for those businesses affected by Hurricane Sandy.

“We don’t’ just serve Hispanics,” stressed BHCC president and CEO Rick Miranda. “We serve everyone, but particularly minorities and small business. We represent the 99 cent stores, the restaurant that sits five people and the guy that has the little taco stand on Coney Island.”

Miranda said the expo was important because of its intimate feel. He called the big expos impersonal and lacking a constant dialogue. When there are a large numbers of exhibitors, it forces a business to make quick presentations in order to speak to as many people as possible.

According to Miranda, that isn’t the right strategy for the businesses his organization serves.

“No one it looking at time here,” he said. “They find that the closeness of the groups is what makes for a great business expo.”

He said that every year the numbers have been growing, and anticipates they will do so in 2014, as well.

“I’m looking forward to many years with St. Joseph’s College, and bringing this important opportunity to the very small businesses and the very big guys,” Miranda said.